As if speaking from the grave, the sign posted in front of Mrs. Haney's house quotes a passage from Jeremiah written at a time when there was war between Israel (Judah) and Babylon.
My neighbor, Mrs. Lillian Haney, passed away this weekend (12 Aug. 2006). I would like to express my condolences to her family, friends and associates. May all who were touched by this dear woman always remember the faith she had in God and the love she expressed and shared with all throughout her life.
I only knew Mrs. Haney briefly. She posted Bible verse on a sign in front of her house. As if speaking from the grave the sign posted when she departed this good Earth comes from Jeremiah 23:36 which reads:
"And the burden of the Lord shall ye mention no more; for every man's word shall be his burden; for ye have perverted the words of the living God, of the Lord of hosts our God."
This expression of reverence is a reminder to all that God is alive within our hearts and that to believe in God means doing his work and sharing his love among our fellow man.
It is important that we each love our neighbors, not only those who live adjacent to us, but our neighbors throughout the community, state, nation and world.
Quite often people read the Holy Bible and use it to justify whatever they wish. Moslems do the same with the Koran. This is why there is so much hatred and terrorism in the world; it is why terrorists seek to kill and destroy Americans and would like to blow us all away.
Perversion of holy scriptures is an ultimate form of sin. Although we should love the sinner and hate the sin, we should not take kindly the perversion of the word of God, whether quoting the Holy Bible, the Koran or other sacred works.
I believe this is a bit of wisdom Mrs. Haney was trying to pass along to her neighbors and now echoes from the grave, especially given the fact that the prophet Jeremiah, known as "The Weeping Prophet," was very much concerned with the conflict between Israel (Judah) and Babylon, which is certainly relevant today, given the war in the Middle East and the war on terrorism. Indeed, the world would be a better place for everyone if we would not pervert the word of God and would love our neighbors.
Unfortunately this only works if neighbor loves neighbor and vice versa. If we as a nation endeavor to love our enemies but they keep trying to blow up airplanes using everything from plastic explosives in shoes to liquids and gels smuggled onto airplanes as sports drinks, then the circle of love breaks down and God's message is perverted to the extreme.
If we listen to our elders we may come to learn from their wisdom. Much of Mrs. Haney's wisdom was gained by reading and studying scriptures. No doubt her parting sentiments posted in front of her home are asking that we all do the same.
I know Mrs Haney is now resting in peace with God. Should you have an elderly parent or grandparent please endeavor to make their final days happy days, and listen to all they have to say and share, for even if in age our minds may grow cloudy and our dispositions change, still we are all God's children with love to share.